Japan is a land born from culture. Few places have such a rich, deep and fascinating history like the “Land of the Rising Sun”.
Don’t you think that’s why Japanese culture has permeated such a large part of the world? You can see Japanese influence in so many things: The ancient Ninja and Samurai are now a staple part of pop culture. The traditional Japanese kimono is viewed the world over as attire which evokes feelings of peace and beauty.
When we left Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and journeyed there for a vacation, we were left speechless at how new and different the land looked. At Roux Luxury Travel, a full service travel agency in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, we take pride in the fact we have experienced so much of what the cultures of the world have to offer so that we can best guide our customers... and Japan left us speechless.
What got us the most was the sheer number of customs of the people. That’s very important. You have to respect that if you truly wish to enjoy your stay. We’ll enlighten you on some of the more important ones.
We have all seen clips of how the Japanese seem to bow to each other nonstop. To them, a simple bow is all it takes to show toy respect and appreciate them. The Japanese imbibe their children with respect from day one, so you understand how much of a big deal it is to them.
How long and low a bow is depends on the elevation of the person being addressed. Casual friends can get quick bows while elders and superiors get longer and slower bows.
Learning how to eat with chop sticks is one thing but your behavior at the table is another. With guest in attendance at the dinner table, wait before drinking if served drinks. There will one individual who stands up to make a speech, lift his cup and yell out “kampai”, which just means cheers.
Contrary to what you might think, to tip a Japanese cab driver or waiter or even someone charged with personal care is downright insulting to them. They don’t take kindly to that.
Take heed of these 3 points and you’ll get off on a great start with the Japanese. Respect their culture and they will repay you in kind. Just try and learn how to eat with chopsticks, yeah? Believe us, you’ll be grateful you did.
Are you ready to explore Japan's wonders? As a full service travel agent in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, we're here to plan the entire trip for you. Why not give us a call and let's get you immersed in the wonders of Japanese culture.
Topics: travel tips, travel destinations, asia